EPA New England Press Releases

Lebanon, NH Wastewater Treatment Facility receives National EPA O&M Award

Contact: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008)

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2001; Release # 01-11-14

BOSTON – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the Lebanon, NH Wastewater Treatment Facility was awarded a First Place National Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award. The Lebanon facility was among three in New England recognized by the EPA nationally for their outstanding work in operations and maintenance, and its commitment to improving water quality. The Rutland, Vermont and Troy/Jay, Vermont wastewater treatment facilities received their national awards at a conference earlier this fall.

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"A national award is reflective of a team effort both on the local and state levels", said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "We applaud the City of Lebanon and the outstanding work of its wastewater treatment plant staff who serve the community, as well as the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. It's their hard work and dedication that translates to something tangible which New Englanders can point to with pride, "

The annual national EPA Operations & Maintenance Excellence Awards have been established to recognize the staff of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through not only outstanding and innovative operation and maintenance, but also continued compliance with permit requirements; effective financial management, and on-going operator training. Although smaller facilities such as Lebanon have limited resources, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally.

Kevin Kingston, Utility Operations Group Leader, and Donald Schagen, Wastewater Treatment Team Leader, along with their respective staffs, are to be commended for their dedication and hard work in the on-going effort required to improve water quality. In addition, the City of Lebanon is recognized for their continued support of the both the water and wastewater treatment facilities. The US EPA also acknowledges the Operations Section of the NHDES Wastewater Engineering Bureau for their usual fine efforts in providing technical assistance and operator training to municipal wastewater treatment facilities throughout the State.